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Friday, February 7, 2014

Blog Tour: In the Lyrics by Nacole Stayton

Summary: Hensley Bradley is the definition of the girl-next-door. She’s kindhearted, beautiful, and talented. Bored with her mundane life, thoughts of fleeing her small town begin to consume her. With aspiring dreams to use her voice as a one-way ticket, she suddenly discovers that music might not be her only passion.

After a fallout back home, Colby Grant decides to leave his family’s farm, determined to show his father he’s more than just a wanna-be country singer. With his All-American good looks, it doesn’t take long for girls in his new town to focus their eyes on him. But things aren’t what they appear from the outside, and it isn’t long until Colby feels he doesn't fit into the perfect world that so quickly embraced him.

A chance encounter places Hensley in Colby’s path, but it isn’t her natural beauty that first captures his attention – it’s her voice.

When love and music mix, will the combination blossom into a beautiful melody or wither into a heart-wrenching tune?

Kristina says…

4 and a half Melodic Stars

This book made me feel lots of emotions from excitement, sad, happy to angsty. I dig a book that keeps me invested in the hero and heroine and supporting characters. I love a book that has heart!

"Not in my twenty years have I ever felt so.., I don't know drawn to a complete stranger..."

Colby Grant is leaving his broken family, run down farm and Texas behind. He wants to attend his sophomore year in college and pursue his music career in Tennessee. He's charming, got southern charm and has dimples...he's quite a catch! I'm already feeling a crush coming on this fine specimen.

Hensley Bradley is a young girl who's kind of kept to herself. She's only got a few friends Dusty, Logan and her car Betsy the Beater. She's resilient and ready for a fresh start anywhere but where she's from someday. She's got long cascading brown hair, a beautiful voice and feels it's her ticket to a brighter future. She's guarded and has her walls up, but a certain someone just might break through her defenses and show her what she has been missing.

" I knew it the moment our eyes locked, and he listened as I sang. Not just to my voice, but my soul. Colby Grant is going to be hard to keep at a distance."

Dusty, Hensley and new comer Colby are all roommates. They are working during the summer to save for rent, college expenses and their future. Colby ends up working at a horse farm for special needs children with Hensley. Their friendship grows as well as their attraction for each other. I loved watching their relationship blossom.

"Because my world was dark for a long time. When I first laid eyes on you, things seemed brighter for once."

Nacole Stayton developed a beautiful story that captured my heart. It gave good perspectives of the main characters throughout the story from the dual POV. I like that in any book- it takes you into the characters head. There were so many awesome quotes that captured a moment or emotion in the book as well. Her writing flows flawlessly and she weaved a tale of heartache, promise, and love.

Colby and Hensley both have family issues that effect their choices in life. They may learn from them or they may not?

I like one of the messages Stayton conveyed in this novel about not letting yourself be used by a boy. To be careful to not fall for their lies while growing up. To wait for the special ONE.

"I will not, ever, stop you from living your dream. I just want to be apart of it."

"Let me F... you into tomorrow, because honestly I don't know what it holds, and it's the uncertainty that scares me."

Colby is special.. He deserves happiness.... I hope he finds it!

I think you will enjoy this tender book ..... In The Lyrics as much as I did.

Jamie says…

Great, awesome, romantic read! 5 stars! You will fall hopelessly in love with the country boy Colby and the witty/sarcastic Hensley. This an epic story of love found and lost because of dreams and fame. But the chemistry of these 2 characters is off the charts! You have to pick up this book! I look forward to tons more from this author.

Colby and Hensley both have the same dreams of becoming a country music star. Both wanting out of the lives they currently lead. Can Colby let the pain of his brothers death and the pain of his fathers actions after the death go and find what he is looking for in life. Can Hensley let go of her insecurities that love will only hold her back and find the one true love? What happens when one turns down there dream for love and one is handed the dream they have been searching for and doesn't put love into the equation? Can they stand by each other through this time or will there love fade into the background?

Colby---"I don't want this life. Hell, Pops, I can't even believe you want to live this life. Look around--- the crops are dying, we've slaughtered all the cows and have no more funds to buy new ones. Eddie is overworked and underpain, the roof needs fixin', and the tractor still isn't running. I mean, come on, when are you gong to face the facts and throw in the towel? You and I both know when Levi died, the loving family we once were and the family business we ran died with him."

"Shit, Hensley. That's really what you think? What do I have to do to prove it? I want you. I've wanted you since day one. Since I saw you on that damn corner, I've wanted you. I go to bed aching for your touch and wake up dying for you to quench my thirst. Do you ever wonder why I stare at you all the time? I'm taking you in, drinking you up."

Hensley-- Ignoring the song on the radio, my mind roams as I hold my hand out the driver's side window and allow the summer sun to beat down on it. Love's for losers. It's not that I don't like the idea of liking someone, and I can't lie and say I've never entertained the thought of being in a relationship, but that is where I draw the line, at a thought. I can't ever all myself to lose focus, and if I'm using that energy crushing on a boy, I might miss my chance to get out of this God- Forsaken town. That's my dream, and there is no way in hell I'm letting some fling, crush or whatever, get in the way of making it come true.

"I'm scared..." I stutter. "What if I fall in love with you? What if this, us, works? Then what? I've built my entire life on running as fast as possible out of this town, but now what? You're here, and I like you. By admitting that, I'm accepting that I might never leave here. I have to leave here. I have to get out."

Life changed when Colby waltzed into it unannounced. He shook me up and made me believe that love was real. Life was also real and hit us dead in the face with some curveballs, but we survived. In the end that's what matters.

About the Author: Nacole Stayton is twenty-something years young and currently resides in the Bluegrass State. She spends her days working at a local hospital in the billing department and nights writing vigorously on her current novel. She has a passion for helping others and wears her University of Kentucky gear proudly. While her husband loves all things outdoors, Nacole enjoys the finer things in life, like getting pedicures while reading on her Kindle Fire. She is passionate about her faith, family, and The Bachelor.